Mark Davies says Adams phone call sealed Kent switch
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
New Kent seamer Mark Davies has revealed a phone call from coach Jimmy Adams persuaded him to join the club.
Davies, 31, completed his move to Canterbury on Wednesday, having been trialling with Kent for four weeks.
"Jimmy Adams rang me personally which was a big thing for me," Davies told BBC Radio Kent.
"A big thing was Jimmy being here and I know Rob Key from the England 'A' tours I've been on. That was what swayed it to be honest."
The former Durham paceman has battled back and ankle problems in recent years and fell down the pecking order at Chester-le-Street, with England players Liam Plunkett, Graham Onions and Steve Harmison all vying for places.
Davies himself was on the fringes of the England squad in 2009 before injury struck, eventually forcing him to miss the entire 2011 first class season.
But he is now eager to secure a regular berth in the Kent side, adding: "I'm not just here to make the numbers up. I want to put my stamp on the club and the team really."
Davies became the sixth Kent signing since the end of last season.
Michael Powell,Ben Harmison,Charlie Shreck and Scott Newman have been brought in to bolster the squad, as well as overseas signing Brendan Nash.
Davies, who has taken 253 first class wickets at an average of 22.63, acknowleged that with an increase in numbers comes an increase in competition for places - a challenge he is ready for.
"It's a club that's going forward and a club that's headed in the right direction," he said.
"It would be lovely to lead an attack but there's a lot of good bowlers here.
"The one thing about making new signings is [that it] brings competition for places which is a good thing for any team.
"I'm just looking forward to the season, enjoying it and hopefully taking the team forward."
